Self-Expanding Expansion Joint Seal for Easy Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing expansion joint seals face challenges in maintaining leaktightness due to limited elastic capacity, vulnerability to vandalism, and difficulty in adapting to varying joint sizes and movements, especially in vertical or horizontal expansion joints with limited length and no free outlet.
Innovation Solution
A self-expanding seal system comprising elongated bodies with elastic expanders and a waterproof flexible body, which can expand transversely to absorb joint movements and deformations, and a releasable retainer device to maintain pre-compressed position, allowing for high expansive force without compromising insertion ease.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high expansive force is applied to maintain sealing under movement, then leaktightness is improved, but insertion difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is pre-compressed during manufacturing to generate the expansive force needed for sealing, but this compressed state is maintained temporarily by a retainer device. During installation, the retainer is released allowing the pre-compressed seal to expand and press against the joint faces, providing immediate sealing without requiring high insertion force. This separates the force generation (done preliminarily) from the insertion action.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing system is divided into functional components: the elastic seal body that provides expansive force, and the retainer device that controls deployment. This segmentation allows the seal to be inserted in a compact, low-force state while maintaining the capability to generate high sealing pressure once deployed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If elastic capacity is increased to adapt to joint movements, then adaptability is improved, but structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The seal employs an elastic body made of flexible material that can deform and expand to accommodate joint movements including seismic activities. The flexibility of this elastic shell allows adaptation to varying joint sizes and movements while maintaining structural integrity through the material's inherent elastic properties.
3Area of stationary object
If seal length is increased to cover larger joints, then coverage area is improved, but placement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system uses multiple separate seal bodies that can be installed individually in shorter expansion joints, or combined in series for longer joints. Each seal body maintains consistent dimensions and placement characteristics, ensuring precision is not compromised by the total joint length. The modular approach allows precise placement of each segment while covering the entire joint area.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively maintains leaktightness across varying joint sizes and movements, including seismic activities, with a high expansive force that adapts to irregularities and differential seating without losing sealing capacity, and can be easily placed using a jig for precise positioning.
Implementation Method 1
elastic expanders connected to said first and second bodies causing an elastic spacing of the bodies in a transverse expansion direction
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a sealing system provided with a self-expanding seal for sealing expansion joints in buildings, said seal consisting of a first body 11 and a second body 12 which are elongated and arranged opposite one another, connected by means of a waterproof flexible body 30 and by means of expanders 20 that produce an elastic thrust for separating said first and second bodies which are thus trapped inside the expansion joint to be sealed. Said seal includes retainers 40 which keep it in a pre-compressed position, allowing easy placement within the joint to be sealed, and which may be released producing the instantaneous expansion of the self-expanding seal.